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Obi still the one for Fergie

By Alex Dunn

Sir Alex Ferguson insists John Obi Mikel will become a Manchester United player.

Sir Alex Ferguson remains convinced that Lyn midfielder John Obi Mikel will become a Manchester United player.

The Nigerian's future has been shrouded in uncertainty as he is currently being investigated by Fifa, after he walked out of Norwegian outfit Lyn claiming they pressured him into signing for United.

Unveiled as a United new boy in April, this announcement has since looked premature as the player has claimed Lyn sold him against his wishes.

Mikel has subsequently found himself involved in a tug-of-war between Chelsea and United, stating that he has always had a desire to move to Stamford Bridge and not Old Trafford.

The promising 19-year-old has claimed that Chelsea have paid his expenses and helped support his family for the last two years and that he wants Fifa to cancel the contract he signed with United, so he can move to the West London big-spenders.

Despite Mikel's apparent wishes, Fifa have stated that his contract with Lyn is entirely valid and have ordered the player to make an immediate return to his current paymasters.

It has yet to be made clear whether Mikel will link up with Manchester United in January - as was the condition of the original deal struck.

Ferguson remains confident that a satisfactory&nbsp;outcome will be manifest - whereby United land their man.

''I know Fifa are spending a lot of time speaking to all the people who have been involved, including the (Norwegian) police,'' said Ferguson.

''And they need to as it has to be a thorough investigation.

''The fact of the matter is that Mikel is a Manchester United player.

''The deal was struck with Lyn and the contracts were signed.

''There is no question in our mind that we have done everything in the right manner.''